NO ‘BLOODBATH’ will happen in the Policy Council if newly elected chief minister Mike Torode gets his way. He overcame Deputy Peter Roffey by just two votes in the final round yesterday to take the top job.

Deputy Torode pledged to restore credibility and public confidence in the States in the wake of Fallagate.

An emotional Deputy Torode had not expected to find himself in the position after losing the race for the top job in 2004.

‘We have got to restore long-term stability and credibility and reconnect with the public,’ he said.

‘The public don’t have a very high opinion of the States of Guernsey and if you don’t have the people that you seek to govern with you, then you’re not going to achieve a great deal.’

The island needed a Policy Council that would work together and pull in line, he added.

‘I don’t believe that this is the time for a wholesale bloodbath, it’s not the time for the settling of old scores, perceived or real, so I will not be seeking wholesale changes in the Policy Council.’

Deputy Torode has not finalised whom he will put forward for ministerial posts in tomorrow’s election.

‘I’m trying to pull together a team of people who can assure me they can and will work together,’ he said.

‘There are going to have to be some hatchets buried without a shadow of a doubt, preferably not in skulls.’

He was keen to see the Government Business Plan driven forward. It included great ambitions for Guernsey, he said.

Deputy Torode added his was not a caretaker role for the next 14 months.

‘This is the opportunity to build: elect a political team that will go forward beyond April 2008.

‘It’s inevitable there will be some changes – some people will retire, some may be beaten in that election – but if we have the strong nucleus of good government, it will survive those changes and take Guernsey forward.’

Deputy Torode maintained that he would retire at the end of this term, which would mark 29 years in the States.

After his victory was announced, he could say only a few words to the House before having to sit back down again, seemingly overcome by the moment.

Deputy Roffey was keen to remain as Health minister.

He was still considering whether to run for deputy chief minister.

There will be an election for the Treasury post.

Deputy minister Charles Parkinson will challenge incumbent Lyndon Trott for the job.